On The Town: Enjoy Five Days of Detroit Talent at DDF

Image from DDF

5 Years. 5 Days. 500 Designers. The Detroit Design Festival is finally upon us. Celebrate Detroit as a growing global center of design, and share in the city’s cutting-edge designers from September 22 through September 26. There are countless events, lectures, exhibits, workshops, and more each day of this festival, so we have highlighted a few for you. Please visit the DDF website to RSVP to events, as well as locating the full schedule of events.

Tuesday is the first of the Industry Days. Attendees can look forward to a day full of workshops, panels, and conversations all diving deep into developing urban spaces and human-centered design. Following an afternoon of workshops, join us for an inspiring lectures from Paulina Petkoski about the Future of Fashion: Fast-Fashion and Conscious Consumerism. Petkoski is a fashion designer and stylist that has worked under Isaac Mizrahi, Diane von Furstenberg, and Rachel Roy. She is also the founding Style Editor for Grand Circus Magazine. Another lecture to choose from is Stephen Hobbs presentation of Defensive Architecture. Hobbs is an artist that finds inspiration in using video, installation, photography, and sculpture to demonstrate and examine cities undergoing significant physical change. With a focus on how visual design has played a part in city development and its rich history, one can appreciate the ever-changing city and learn how to appreciate its beauty - even in a time of destruction.

After resting up from Tuesday’s phenomenal experience, come back for a continuation of Industry Days including more workshops, conversations, and panels on Wednesday morning about everything design, architecture, and design policy. Similar to Tuesday’s scheduling, following the panels will be a lecture by Raphael Henry, who pursued a career in Industrial Design. He focuses on creating retail environments where products are focused on through unique furnishings, fixtures, and lighting accessories.

Eastern Market After Dark makes a return this year from 7 to 11 p.m. on Thursday. Visit Eastern Market and explore at your own pace of over 30 venues opening its doors and giving a rare glimpse of the behind-the-scenes atmospheres of the studios, workshops, retail stores, galleries, and every factor that goes into creating the artistic vibe of the market. If you can’t make it to Eastern Market, sit in on a lecture from Suzanne Lee at 5:10 p.m. about the Future of Design: Biology. This innovative fashion designer experiments with new materials and ways of doing things. She has used biology and design to create living materials. Look in on her radical vision as she allows you to step inside her mind and learn why the future of fashion is in science.

Friday and Saturday features the Design Village from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Immerse yourself in the talent of designers in this city as we have the opportunity to see a curated selection of the most innovative and talented designers pieces. There will be everything from accessories, apparel, homewares, interiors, and even transportation design. It will be easy to find yourself lost in the fashion and art, but not lost in the venue due to the easy to navigate sections based on industry. This event isn’t just for other designers; consumers and fashion enthusiasts will be sure to love it, as well.

From 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday make sure to stop by the DDF 2015 Official Closing Party. Mingle with other art and design enthusiasts, browse the Design Village, and see an unveiling and the announcement of the Metro Museum of Design Detroit. Enjoy beer and wine as you take in all that Detroit has to offer after widening your mind on all things art, fashion, architecture, and design.

Image from DDF